Phoenix, Bulldogs win games in Rotary Shootout

By JASON VIOX\Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS - Saturday hosted seven basketball games at Mineral Area College for their annual Rotary Shootout. The West County Bulldogs picked up the win over the Crystal City Hornets while the Career Academy Phoenix triumphed over the North County Raiders.

West County 43, Crystal City 38

In the beginning of the game the Crystal City Hornets threw away several passes as the West County Bulldogs held a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter however, the Bulldogs started to throw away a few passes as well. Although both teams had trouble making any shots, West County snatched a 43-38 victory over Crystal City.

Two free throws by John Barnett and a bucket by Sam Luebbers put West County up 4-0. Crystal City scored four points which included two free throws by Wade Townsend to tie the game. The two teams matched points two more times before a Luebbers putback and a short jump shot by Jake Blair gave West County a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

The shooting dilemma began in the second quarter as West County's Brandon Dane scored the first point of the quarter by a free throw at the 5:22 mark. A lay-up by Crystal City's Jordan Williams was countered by a short jump shot by Brandon Dane for the Bulldogs. Two free throws by Townsend and a lay-up by Luebbers made it a 17-12 ball game. One more basket by both teams was made before the first half ended.

The Hornets tied the game in the beginning of the third quarter as they drained five points which included a three-point shot by Brent Vaughn. The Bulldogs had a small four-point lead before the Hornets tied the game to keep West County on their toes. When the Bulldogs led 26-23, Vaughn drained his second three-pointer of the night to tie the game again.

The two teams traded one more basket before Barnett drained two free throws and a lay-up to reclaim the lead 32-28 at the end of the third quarter. Although Vaughn sank another three-point field goal, West County made six points which included back-to-back jump shots by Barnett. Another Vaughn three would be as close the as Hornets would get as the Bulldogs scored five more points while Crystal City drained four to end the game.

Luebbers led all scorers as he nailed 17 points for West County. Barnett contributed 12 to the Bulldogs' cause. Vaughn's 12 points all came from three-pointers while Williams came up with 10 for the Hornets.

The Bulldogs will host Grandview Thursday.

Career Academy 64, North County 51

The match-up between the North County Raiders and the Career Academy Phoenix was a close one in the first half. When the second half commenced, Career Academy dominated the rest of the game as they finished the contest with a 64-51 victory.

Career Academy's Chad Thompson sank 30 points while the squad played a very aggressive defense. Many players consistently scrambled for loose balls.

The first quarter presented several lead changes. North County's Kyle Hathman nailed two short jump shots for a 4-2 lead. Chad Thompson sank a three-pointer to keep the Raiders in check. When the Raiders trailed 11-6, Adam Ketcherside contributed four points to regain the lead. A three-point shot by Chad Thompson and North County's Matt Thompson and a bucket by Ryan Blankenship gave the Raiders a one-point lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter showed no signs of change. Career Academy regained the lead late in the quarter as Tracy Fields put up a basket and a free throw for a 23-22 game. A two-point field goal by Anton Smith game Phoenix a small amount of breathing room. The two teams matched a jump shot before Blankenship nailed two free throws to end the half.

Career Academy fired out strong as they racked up six points which included a slam dunk by Jayvonte Hughes for a 32-26 game. Derek Padgett and C.J. Peterson each made a basket for North County before Career Academy scored five points which included a three by Darrell Stokes for a score of 37-29. As the two teams exchanged points Chad Thompson drained another three-pointer for a 44-33 game.

Career Academy held the ball at North County's side for a minute and a half to drain the clock. Chad Thompson scored another three right before the buzzer rang. Career Academy continued to pile up the points in the fourth quarter as Stokes and Chad Thompson scored two points each for a 51-37 game.

Peterson put up two points and North County's Kyle Hawkins sank a jump shot before Tracy Fields countered with a three-pointer to make the game 62-46. North County made five more points while Phoenix made two before the game ended.

Peterson and Ketcherside each made 13 points for North County. Stokes chipped in nine points for Career Academy.

The Raiders will host St. Vincent on Tuesday.

Meadow Heights 68, Bismarck 60

PATTON - Friday's game between Meadow Heights and the Bismarck Indians proved to be a very close one. Last season, Meadow Heights won by 40 points. Although Meadow Heights didn't lose anyone to graduation, Bismarck stood strong, but not strong enough as Meadow Heights won by the score of 68-60.

Sam Fisher led all scorers as he racked up 28 points for the Indians. Kevin Randazzo and Ralph Scherffius each contributed 10 points. Scherffius led in rebounds Bismarck as he pulled down eight. Fisher grabbed seven rebounds and Randazzo followed with six. Anthony Bollinger scored 18 points for Meadow Heights while the team nailed 11 three-pointers to score almost half of their total points.

Bismarck (2-4) will host Valle of Ste. Genevieve for a conference game Tuesday.